Nicco Manalo leads cast of play This is Our Youth

Nicco Manalo leads the cast of This is our Youth, which makes its Philippine premiere this November.

Set in New York City in 1982, it revolves around two college dropouts who are faced with a dilemma.

They find themselves sitting on $15,000 worth of stolen cash. Their lives (and tiny Upper West Side apartment) are thrown in for a loop when a young woman enters the picture, forcing them to question their privileged existence as well as their loyalties to each other.

Nicco Manalo and Jef Flores portray the roomies while Cindy Lopez is cast as the girl who is the crush of one of the guys.

This is our Youth is a comic gem about the "Me Generation" and a witty, acerbic snapshot of that confusing place between adolescence and adulthood. �

Nicco Manalo has been named as Cinemalaya and Star Awardsâ?? Best Supporting Actor for the film The Janitor. He was also nominated for Gawad Buhay acting awards for American Hwangap and Kleptomaniacs.

Jef Flores was last seen in the Manila production of The Normal Heart. He was the lead in Repertory Philippinesâ?? production of 4000 Miles, and was part of the vibrant ensemble of Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady.

Despite having a full-time editorial job at Cosmopolitan, Cindy Lopez manages to juggle a career in theater. Most of her previous work has been with Tanghalang Ateneo: Sintang Dalisay, Fireflies, Twelfth Night, and most recently Waiting for Godot.

For Red Turnip Theaterâ??s mid-season offering, it is staging This is our Youth in a new venue called A Space_Gallery. �

Jenny Jamora, â??We took a risk when we decided to do 33 Variations. It was our biggest production so far and we certainly have no regrets. With the 0.5 series, we wanted to take on, not just a different space, but an even more intimate one. It may be smaller in scale, but itâ??s just as challenging as any of our previous projects.â??

A Space_Gallery is the space of choice for the launch of the 0.5 series. A Space, conveniently located right across Greenbelt 5 in Makati, serves as a hub for creators. The Gallery has supported local independent artists by hosting exhibits, gigs and talks, and now Red Turnip Theater.

Written by American dramatist and Oscar-nominated screenwriter Kenneth Lonergan, This is our Youth opened Off-Broadway in 1996.

It was topbilled back then by Mark Ruffalo, Josh Hamilton, and Missy Yager. Premiering in the West End in 2002, the cast starred Jake Gyllenhaal, Hayden Christensen, and Anna Paquin.

Broadway saw its Tony-nominated revival in 2014 starring Michael Cera, Kieran Culkin, and Tavi Gevinson.

This is our Youth is being staged at A Space_Gallery for a limited run this November 7, 8, 20, 21 and 22.

Tickets are available at Ticketworld Online or call 891-9999. Email redturniptheater@gmail.com or visit Red Turnip Theater on Facebook for more information.